Thierno Barry Scores First Goal for Everton in Victory Over Nottingham Forest
The joy on Thierno Barry's face spoke volumes.
In his 17th appearance for Everton, the summer signing finally found the back of the net during Saturday's 3-0 triumph against Nottingham Forest.
The striker netted the Toffees' second goal after a swift counter-attack, celebrating a moment he may have begun to doubt would ever arrive.
The goal came in the third minute of first-half stoppage time, and Barry left the pitch still beaming as the whistle blew shortly after.
“I was just as pleased for the supporters to see him score as I was for him,” said Everton manager David Moyes. “Every Evertonian wanted him to score. The crowd has provided him with incredible support, which gives players tremendous energy. His goal was well-deserved.”
Barry joined Everton from Villarreal over the summer, stepping in to fill the void left by Dominic Calvert-Lewin's departure. His record in Spain had been respectable, with 11 goals in 35 matches, but adapting to the Premier League has been challenging.
Before the match against Forest, he had managed just one shot on target in 16 games—a statistic that might have led fans to question his role as a leading striker.
Nevertheless, Barry has won the affection of Everton fans through his work rate and ability in the air; the only missing component was goals—until now.
His composed finish belied the fact that it was his first goal of the season, celebrated with heightened enthusiasm by the home crowd who undoubtedly shared in his relief and joy.
The goal came from Barry's 19th attempt for Everton and marked his first strike since scoring for Villarreal against Osasuna in La Liga back in May. He received a warm standing ovation when substituted for Beto in the second half.
While fans appreciate his overall contributions, a striker's value is ultimately measured by goals. As his drought continued, the pressure mounted on him.
“This is significant for him, and it was bound to happen—he was due,” Moyes stated on BBC Match of the Day. “He must score as a center-forward; otherwise, we will look for someone to replace him.”
Everton has a storied connection with David Moyes, who returned for his second tenure at the club in January, taking over from Sean Dyche, now managing Forest. Since his return, Moyes has transformed Everton from relegation strugglers into a team vying for European qualification.
With 15 victories in 36 matches, Moyes has maintained a win percentage similar to his first spell, indicating a continuation of his successful tenure that began before his departure to Manchester United 12 years ago.
However, the seasoned manager is aware that now is not the time for complacency regarding Everton's potential this season. “I want to be optimistic and aim for Europe,” he said. “We are not yet a team that wins every match, but we are making solid progress.”